Web-printing machine



Dec. 18, 1928. 1,695,271

7 J. n. CAPLINGEIR WEB PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 11. 1918 s Sheets-Sheet 1 g INVENEOR Deb. 18,7928. 1,695,271,.

J. D. CAPLINGER WEB PRINTING MACHINE Fild Feb. 11. 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 um ||I|l| Ill lllllllllllllll I Y 12 240 11 Q JC/ m q M 15 WNW I 1 m 1 2 ii l l ltlJllll'llllll ll ll ll liill il 20 INVENTOR I J. D. CAPLINGER WEB PRINTING MACHINE Dec 18, 1928. 1,695,271

Filed Feb. 11. 1918 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Dee 18, 1928. p

, UNITED STATES 1,695,271 PATENT OFFICE.

J OHN D. CAPLINGER, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 CARL A. KELLOGG, 0! 7 5 NEW YORK, N. Y.

WEB-PRINTING MACHINE.

Application filed February 11, 1918. Serial No. 216,675.

This invention relates to certain improvements 'in web printing machines, and more particularly in that class or type of such marhinos in which a printing couple mcludmg members-one of which is capable of rec procatory movement, is employed for pr nting the web from a fiat form, and where n the capacity of the printing machine, which is obviously dependent upon the velocity with which the web may be fed through t e machine is limited or controlled the rapidity" with which the reciprocatory membermay be operated, and the object of the invention is to provide a printing machme of this general character having certain features of novelty and improvement whereby the period or 1nterval of time required for impression 1s capable of being shortened in such a manner as will permit reduction in the extent of travel of the reciprocatory member of the print ng couple, suflicient to permit of imparting thereto the requisite rcciprocatory movements in more rapid succession than is ordinarily practicable or possible, in order that the web may be passed through the machine with greater velocity and an increased number of impressions of the form thereon may be obtained within a given time.

The invention consists, in part, in a printing machine including a printing couple having members capable of reciprocatory movement, and one of them movable toward and away from the other for purposes of impression, wherein means is provided for feeding a web between the members of the printing couple in such a manner that successive impressions are produced upon the web by the movement of one member of the couple toward the other and during that part of the reciprocating movement of said members, which is co-directional with the movement of the web between said members.

The invention also consists. in part, in a printing machine of this general character wherein the period or time required for the impression of the form upon the web, instead of being controlled or dependent solely or mainly upon the time required for the reciprocation of one element of the printing couple alone, to an extent equal to the length of the form, or for the conjoint reciprocatory movements to a similar extent of both members of the printing couple in reverse directions, as is customary in web printin machines of this class or type as heretofore esigned, is shortened or quickened in such a manner that the impressions are increased in extent and rapidity so that the impression may be performed quickly and Withina comparatively short extent of reciprocatory movement of one or both members of said printing couple whereby the total travel of the said member or members of the printing couple may be materially lessened to permit of performing the necessary reciprocations with greater'rapidity, and thereby attaining greater speed or capacity of the improved printing machine.

The invention further consists in a web printing machine of the character above set forth wherein the form supporting bed is reciprocated in such a manner as to permit the web to be fed forward through the print- 1ng machine during impression, without great or excessive interruption of its movement such as is requisite when a stationary bed is employed, in order to avoid the imposition upon the web of such excessive stress, arising out of the requisite equalization of its movement with the necessary stoppage for impression, and which in otherprinting machines of the general character to which my invention relates greatly interferes with rapid feeding of the web and thereby reduces the capacity of the machine.

The invention further consists in a print ing machine of the general character hereinbefore set forth wherein the platen has a curved impression surface so proportioned as to its radius as to be adapted to traverse the co-acting form during a comparatively short or small extent of angular movement of the platen, and wherein the pivotal support of said platen is eccentrically positioned with respect to said impression surface so that a comparatively small extent of reciprocatory movement of the platen in the direction 'of travel of the web suifices for assuring enough angular or rotatory movement thereof for effect-ing the full impression and permits of very materially reducing the required total travel of the members of the printing couple beyond what is requisite in other types of printing machines thereby assuring much more rapid operation of the machine than is possible or practicable in other machines of this general class as heretofore constructed, wherein a much greater extent of reciprocatory movement of said members is requisite for the completion of the impression.

The invention further consists in a printing machine wherein a platen having a curved im ression surface is pivoted eccentrically wlth respect thereto and actuating means are provided for reciprocating or oscillating said platen upon its pivotal supports in such a manner as to maintain a line impression across the co-acting form throughout the period of impression.

The invention also consists in certain novel features of the construction. and combina tions and arrangements of the several parts of the improved printing machine, whereby certain'important advantages are attained, and the machine is renderedsimpler, more compact and less expensive as compared with other flat bed web printing machines heretofore in use, and is rendered more effective and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter fully set, forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefullydefined in the claims.

In order that my improvements may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a fragmentary view of a somewhat diagrammatic character, illustrating an embodiment of my invention wherein the printing couple includes a reciprocatory form supporting bed and an eccentrically supported reciprocatory or oscillatory platen for printing upon a continuously or constantly moving web, the parts being shown in the positions wherein they stand when the members of the couple are oil impression as, for example, at an end of their stroke and during inking of the form;

Figure 2 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the members of the printing couple in the positions assumed by them at the commencement of impression;

Figure 3 is another view somewhat similar to the preceding figures but illustrating the positions of the members of the printing couple upon impression, as at midstroke;

Figure 4 is another view somewhat similar to the preceding figures, but illustrating the positions assumed by the members of the printing. couple at the completion of the impression;

Figure 5 is a sectional detail view taken through the machine in the planeof the reciprocatory bed, illustrating certain features of construction of a means for raising and lowering th'ebed for throwing the same on and off impression, and

Figures 6 and 7 are other views, somewhat similar to Figure 5, but showing different positions of adjustment of the devices therein shown.

In these'views I have shown my improvements embodied in a web printing machine having a bed; indicated'as a whole at 1, supported for reciprocatory movement along horizontally directed guides (not shown) in the frame of the machine, and adapted to cooperate with a platen 2, supported as shown at 3, upon. bearings or trunnions positioned eccentrically with respect to its curved im pression surface 40, which latter is struck with a radius considerably exceeding its distance from said trunnions or hearings in order that the lowering of the platen arising during rocking thereof upon its. eccentrically positioned supports, may be utilized accordmg to my invention for effecting more rapid travel of the platen over the form and thereby securing the complete impression of said form upon the web more quickly and during a relatively short portion of the reciprocatory travel of the web and form.

The bed 1 and platen 2 are, of course, adapted for movement in unison with-one another, the one along its guides in the frame, and the other upon its eccentric supports at 3, and by reason of the curvature of the impression surface Q0 being so great that its center is above the hearings or trunnions 3, it will be apparent that during the conjoint movement of the bed and platen upon impression, the axis of said impression surface 40 will be moved with relatively increased velocity oppositely to the forward travel of the web'and bed to the extent necessary for effecting the impression by the rolling of said impression surface over the form in order that advantage may be taken of the increased rapidity of such axial movement of said platen for shortening the time required for impression. The bed and platen will, of course, be coupled for movement in unison during impression by means of toothed gearing or the like such as 1iis (g'dinarily provided in machines of this As herein shown, both the bed and platen are driven by crank movement, although itwill be apparent that other types of drive well known in the art such, for example, as toothed gearing, may be employed in lieu thereof. As herein shown, the bed and platen'l and 2 are coupled by connecting rods 5 and 6, respectively, with crank disks 7 and 8, driven in unison in any preferred manner, so as to impart similarly directed reciprocatory movements to the bed and platen during operation of the machine, it being understood that whilst the reciprocatory movement of the platen, considered as a whole, is in the direction of the travel of the bed and web, yet the axial movement of the center from which the impression surface is struck is in an opposite direction in order that advantage may be taken of the extent of such axial movement for assisting in completing the impression. Where crank mechanism is provided in this manner for driving the bed and platen, the same will ordinarily be duplicated atopposite sides of the machine as is usual in printing press construction. Y

The printing machine being of the web typc,is provided with means of any approved kind for feeding and directing a web X of paper to be imprinted between the bed and platen, such means, as herein shown, including feed rolls 9 for drawing the web with a substantially constant velocity from the web roll, (not shown) guide rolls 10 and 12 for directing the web to and from the platen, and other spring actuated or yielding tension rolls 11, 11 spaced at opposite sides of the platen for so directing the web as to produce a straight run thereof between the bed and platen, and their yielding operation being calculated to overcome any dilliculty arising out of slight di ferences between the speed of the bed and web during the interval of impression. although it should be understood that where desired, or if the differences between the velocities of the bed and web during impression be sufficient to justify it, the web manipulating means may-include equalizing or compensating devices adapted to take up and give or pay out the web at the platen without interfering with a constant velocity of the web at the fed rolls 9 where it is received into the machine, and at the delivery rolls (not shown) where it is dis charged from the machine to a folder or other mechanism.

According to my present invention, how ever, as distinguished from other web printing machines of the reciprocatory bed and cylinder, or platen type, since the reciprocatory movements of the bed and platen are similarly directed, it is possible to utilize the angular movement of the platen, where the same has an eccentric impression surface of sufiiciently great radius, for the production or completion of the impression during a much shorter interval of time than would otherwise be possible, and in the embodiment of the invention herein shown," since the impression takes place midway of the stroke, when the members 1 and 2 are travelling at their highest speed, and on account of the comparatively short time required for completion of the impression, it will be apparent that there will occur very slight differences between the travel of the bed and web, and such differences as occur will be halved by the fact of the bed and platen being at midstfioke during impression, so that comparatively little need will exist for the employment of equalizing or compensating devices of the character referred to in the web manipulating means, and tension rolls of the kind slfown may even be dispensed with in someca'ses, particularly in case the crank driving means shown be re'-' placed by some driving mechanism capable of operation to impel the bed and platen with a constant velocity equal to that of the web, during the interval or period of impression.

According to my invention means are also provided for moving one of the members of the printing couple toward or away frpm the other for the taking of the impression during the reciprocatory movement of said members and in the embodiment of my invention herein shown both members 1 and 2 of the printing couple are capable of such ,raising and lowering movements so that at the connnencen'ient of impression the form is raised and the platen lowered, the lowering ofthe platen continuing until it reaches midstroke, whereupon the platen begins to rise,

this rising movement continuing until the end of the impression, whereupon the members of the printing couple are actuated in such a manner as to clear the web and allow the same to travel at its proper constant speed unhindered by the gradual decrease in velocity of the reciprocatory bed. and platen adjacent to the ends of the strokes of these parts, but it will be obvious that myimprovements are not limited in this respect since, if desired, the web may be raised and lowered with the platen, or the bed alone may be raised and lowered.

As shown herein, the bed 1 is comprised of a lower main part 14L fitted for movement along the frame guideways hereinbefore referred to, and an upper verticallyadjustable part or member 15 adapted to supporta fiat form 16 which may be secured thereon in the usual or any desired manner, said part or member 15 being adapted by its raising and lowering movement, to throw the form on and off impression in the manner above referred to. As shown, said adjustable upper part or member 15 has pendent rounded studs or guides 17, 17 vertically directed beneath its four corners and traversing openings or hearings in said main lower part or member 14 to guide said adjustable part or member 15 in its raising and lowering movements, and upon said studs or guides 17, 17 are mounted spiral cam surfaces 18, 18 connected with said upper part or member 15, and adapted to co-act with corresponding reciprocal cam surfaces 19, 19 upon rotatable members 20, 20 mounted to turn upon the lower ends of the studs or guides 17 17 and having peripheral gear surfaces in mesh with an actuating gear 21 in the form of a toothed sector pivoted at 22 upon the main lower bed member or part 14, whereby it will be understood that when the sectors 21, of which there will be one provided adjacent to each side of the bed, are rocked in one direction, the members 20,20 will be turned in such a manner upon the studs or guides 17 17 as to operate by the co-action of their cam surfaces 19, 19 with the cam surfaces 18, 180i the adjustable partor member 15 of the bed, to raise the latter, and when said sectors 21 are reversely turned upon their pivotal mountings at 22, the reverse co-action of said cam surfaces 19 and 18 will operate tolower said adjustable part or member after the termination of impression. I

For the actuation of the toothed sectors 21, 21 in the embodiment of the invention herein shown, any preferred means ma be provided such, for example, as a sli e member coupled with said segment and slideable in suitable guides in the frame, coacting with appropriate cams-driven by suitable means and engageable with the slide member to move the same endwise in one direction or the other at such times in the stroke of the bed as may be desirable to throw the form on or 011' impression, or, if desired, the means shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 may be employed for this purpose, wherein the sector is provided at opposite sides of its pivotal support 22 with projections 23 and 24: engageable, respectively, during the travel of the bed with pivotal or rotary fingers 25 and 26, so that upon movement of the bed during the impression stroke, one of said projections, as 23, comes into contact with the corresponding finger, as 25, somewhat in advance of the commencement of impression and thereby gives rise to a somewhat gradual lifting of 'the form arising from the reciprocatory movement of the bed, and which is terminated at the commencement of impression by a sudden and rapid though slight upward movement of the form, arising from the conjoint reciprocating movement of the bed and the reversely directed rotation of the finger 25, which is actuated at this time to produce this result, after which the projection 28 passes out of contact with the finger-25 and so remains during the period of impression, at the termination of which the oppositely positioned projection 24 of the sector contacts with the corresponding finger 26 and gives rise to a reverse pivotal movement of the sector tending to lower the form again to the position shown in Figure 1.

For imparting the requisite lowering and lifting movements to the platen at the commencement and termination of impression, I have herein shown the trunnions or ournals,

3, 3 wherein said platen is eccentrically supported, capable of a certain extent of rocking or rotatory movement in bearings at opposite sides of the frame of the machine, and

' provided with arms 27 with'which are coupled rods 28, whose opposite ends are connected with levers 29, fulcrumed at 29 and provided with rollers engaged with cams 31-,

ment-of impression. A further rocking, in

- tact between the cillate the trunnion 3 in such manner as to lower the platen to the position shown in Figure 3. A further rotation of cam 31 causes the peak of the cam to. engage with roller 30 mounted on lever 29, thereby rocking said lever in an outward or reverse direction, the result of which movement is to os-. cillate trunnion 3 in such manner that the platen assumes the position shown in Figure 4. It will thus be apparent that a line conplaten, and cam mechanism for operating the.

same, will ordinarily be duplicated at opposite sides of the machine;

In the embodiment of the invention herein shown, the course of the web through the machine is such that a straight run thereof is produced horizontally between the bed and the platen from one of the tension rollers 11 to the other, whereby it will be seen that upon the lifting of the platen 2 and lowering of the form, these parts are removed absolutely from contact with the web in order that there shall be no interference with the movement of the web, tending to tear or smut the same or to produce any drag on the web, or requiring the employment of equalizing or compensating means, but it will, of course, be apparent that when desired the web may travel over the impression surface of the platen at all times, in which case, guide rolls may be provided at the ends of ,the impression surface, as indicated at 4 to facilitate upward deflection of the web. In such event it will -be apparent, particularly if the platen is mounted for rocking movement, that some compensating or equalizing means must be provided for accommodating the travel of the web to the rocking movement of the platen. In the construction shown herein it may also be of advantage to provide means for raising the rolls 11 and 12 at the right hand side of Fig. 1, in such a manner as to lift the web gradually from the form during ,the progress of the impression, and the rollers 10 and 11 at the left hand side of the platen may also be moved to rise and lower the web with the platen into and out of impression, so as to avoid the slapping of the web against the form upon the bed.

In the structure shown herein, advantage is taken of the separation of the form and platen from each other, when the members of the printing couple are off impression for facilitating the passage of an inkin roller or rollers 32v over the form. for inking the platen and the form is main- IIO same preparatory to the neirt impression, the rollers 32 being herein shown as mounted upon a carriage 33 connected to endless chains 34, 34 at the opposite sides of the machine,

and which trave over sprocket wheels 35, 35 so dis osed that said chains traverse a ath entire y surrounding the bed. .When n n apparatus of .thiskind is provided, it w il be, ap arent that the chains 34 must be dis posed etween the side frames of the machine,

and provision must be made for the travel of;

the upper runs of said chains at ,o posite sides of the form 40 that the chains W1 1 ofier no obstruction to the movement of the members of the printing couple towardeach other for effecting the impression. In the construction shown herein,,0ne oft-he sprockets 35 for-each of said endless chains 34 is mount plied to said drum by a doctor from a suitable fountain. v

In the operation of the improved pr nt ng machine constructed according to my invention, since the impression s eifected by the platen, not by its mere reciprocatory movement in a direction reverse to that of the form with respect to its axis of rotation, if a' small part in practice less than one-half of machines heretofore designed,

as is customary in some flat b (1 web printing ent in very large degree upon the movement of one member of the printing couple toward the ,other, either directly, if a fiat impression surface be provided,or by rocking of the platen upon the bearings which are capable of being shiftedeccentrically or otherwise curved impression surface be provided, it

. will be apparent that the impression may be effected .within a comparatively short period of time, and during a comparatively the total reci rocatory travel of the members of the printing couple, whereby it willbe understood that it is rendered possible toI \shorten yery greatly the extent of travel of said members and consequently to reduce very considerably the size, weight and cost of the machine beyond what would be necessary in a the case of such fiat bed web printing machines as have heretofore been designed or used, whilst at the same time, it is permitted to operate the machine at greatly increased speeds on account of the reduced weight and extent of movement of the bed and platen and of the fact that where the impression is effected at midstroke, as in the embodiment of the invention herein set forth, where the bed is moving at its greatest and substantially constant speed, there is less likelihood of inutis depend-- terference with the feeding of the web through the machine with its maximum velocity, and where such impression is completed within a comparatively small part of the reciprocatory travel of theform there is comparatively no requirement for equalization of the travel of the web with that of mencing impression and Figure 4 shows it at v the time when it is leaving 1m ression and in these two figures the axis 0 the wrist pin of the pitman 6 is situated in the radial line 80 and at. the finish of impression, such axis is situated in a radialline 80". The accurate distance between the lines80 and 80 traveled by the wrist pin is a measure of the po riod of impression and the angle included between these lines is designated in the-draw ings by the expression on impression. Through the remainder of the rotation of the wrist pin, the platen is"ofi impression and is so designated on the drawings. From this showing, it is obvious that the impression occupies a relatively small part of the totalv movement of the parts and while I have here- 'inbefore stated that the impression occupies less than one-half the total movement, such impression is, in practice, very considerably less duration as will be apparent from Figures 2 and 4, and it'is apparent that if the curvature of the platen, is changed the time of taking the impression will be correspondingly changed. If the curve "is of a larger radius the period of impression will be shortened and if the curve of the platen is of a smaller radius than shown the period of-impression will be longer.

It follows that. the impression may be taken in any predetermined part of of the total movement of the platen. The curve of the impression surface is struck from a point far above the point at which it is pivoted and by pivoting the platen at a point between its curved face and that from which it is struck permits of taking the impression in a comparatively short part of its movementwithout having a machine of great height,

eccentrically it is possible to still retain the large curve and have a small compact machine, capable of operation to take the impression in a small part of the movement of one form, and the'nccessity for lengthening the travel of the form supporting bed sufficiently "to effect the inking of the form is entirely avoided. V

From the above description of my im rovements, it will be ap arent that the prlnting machine constructc according to my invention is of a comparatively simple and exceedingly compact'construction, and is par-.

ticularly well adapted for use by reason not only of its light weight, small amount of floor space required for its installation, and the economies arising from its lessened cost, and

' it will also be obvious from the above description that the printing machine is capable of considerable modification without material departure from the principles and spirit of the invention, and forithis reason I do not desire'to be understood as limiting myself to the precise form and arrangement of the several parts herein set forth in carrying out my invention in practice.

or example in some instances, but one member ofthe printing couple need be reciprocated as in case a stationary bed be provided and equalizing means employed for stopping the web during the short time reuired for rocking or oscillating the platen or the completion of the impression.

While I have shown my invention with but a single printing couple, and one web, it will be understood that other printing couples may be added in any way desired, either above, at the side, or end to end, where it is desired to perfect. one or more webs. The form bed may also carry one or more forms abreast, or end to end, or both, without departure from thebroad spirit. of the invention. a

I have not deemed it necessary to show the mechanical movements for the operation of the different parts shown and described, as there are many ways the operations may be accomplished, and any mechanic skilled in the art can readily supply them.

It will be apparent that the platen 2 need.

not necessarily have the same center of curvature, but may be madeup of curved surfaces struck from different centers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1 for continuously feeding a web over said bed 1. In a web printing machine, 'a bed, means forreciprocatmg -sa1d endwise, means in combination with a pivoted platen hav ing a curved impression surface',-said platen being ivoted below the centerof curvature ofsai impression surface, and meansfunctioning to separate the bed and platen at intervals to permitthe free movement of the web. I e

2. In a web printing machine, a printing couple embodying a bed adapted to support 'a flat form, a pivotegdplaten, having a curved impression'surface, apted'tocooperate with the bed, the axis of the platen being below the center of curvature of said impression surface, means operable to move the couple in synchronism, whereby the impression is completed in'a relatively small part of a combined total movement of the couple, in combination with means for automatically feeding a web between the printing couple synchronously with the movement of the couple during the period of impression, and means functioning to separate the bed and platen at intervals to permit the free movement of the web.

3. In a web printin machine, a reciprocating bed operable in allorizontal path, adapted to support a fiat form, a platen havinga curved impression surface coactin therewith, automatic means operable to fee a web between the bed and impression'member during the period of impression and at a speed conforming to that of the bed, and means functioning to separate the bed and platen at in tergals to permit the free movement of the we 4. In a web printing machine, a" printing couple, one member 0 which 'is -adapted to support a flatform,;and the other member of which has a curved impression surface, separate means operable to move each member of the couple in the same direction during impression, automatic' -means operable to feed a web between the members of the couple in the same direction as the movement of the couple and at a speed conformin to that of the couple during the period 0 impression, and means functioning to separate. the elements of the printing couple at intervals to permit the free movement of the web.

5. In a web printing machine, .a printin couple embodying a. reciprocating 'bed, an a platen having a curved impression surface cooperating with the form, means for operating said platen, means operable to feed a web between the members of the couple; means, separate from the platen operatin means, for moving the bed, during the perio of imprcs5 sion, at a speed conforming to-that of the web, and means functioning to separate the elements of the printing couple at intervals to permit the free movement of the web.

6. In a web printing machine, a reciprocating bed adapted to support a flat form, a mov- 18 ber coaeting therewith, means or moving the to and after impression, and means operable to automatically feed a web between the bed and impressipn member during the period of impression at a speed conforming to that of the bed at that time.

-. 7 In a web printing machine, a couple embodying a bed and a platen having a curved impression member cooperating with said be means for movin one element of said couple, said means being operable, when so moved, to complete the impression in less than one-half of its total movement,'in combination with means for continuously and automatically feeding a web between the couple.

8. In a web printing machine, a reciprocating bed, means for raising and lowering said bed, a reciprocatory platen having a curved impression surface cooperating" with said bed and means for feeding'a web between the bed and platen.

9. In a web printing machine, a reciprocating bed, means for raising and lowering said bed, a reciprocatory platen having a curved impression surface cooperating with said bed, said platen being pivotally mounted for movement on an axis eccentric to the axis of curvature of its impression surface, and means for feeding a web between the bed and platen.

10. In a web printing machine, a reciprocating bed, an oscillating, reciprocatory platen "having a. curved impression surface,

I the axis of oscillation of said platen being materially below that of the axis of curvature of its impression surface, in combination with means for continuously feeding a web between the platen and the bed.

11. A printing machine having a printing couple including a form support and a platen, the latter of which is provided with a. curved impression surface, and means for actuating the platen to cause the same to traverse the form during impression, said means being operable to move the platen bodily and to simultaneously roll the curved surface of the same upon the form with a velocity greater than that of the bodily movement of the platen, the form support being also capable of movement to compensate for the movement of the platen during impression. I

12. In a printing press of the described class, an oscillating platen having a curved workin' -face, a movable bed provided with means or holding a fiat printing-form, means for moving said bed toward and from the platen, means for actuating the platen to roll the working-piece thereof upon the p-rintingwhile the latter rolls upon said form, and

impression.

means movable between the bed; and platen for inking the form. bed at a predetermined speed during impression. and at different speeds therefrom'pnor.

13. In a web printing macliine-,. a adapted to support a flat form, means for reciproeating said bed, and means for continuously feeding a web'over said bed,- in combination with a platen having a curved'impression surface and means functioning-to separate the bed and platen at intervals to, permit the free movement of the web.

14. A web printing machine provided with a printing couple one member of which is a pivoted platen 'havinga curved impression. surface and the others. reciprocating form bed, meansjfor continuously feeding a web between the printing couple and means for moving one member of the couple on and oil 15. A web printing mechanism provided with a printing couple including a pivoted platen having a curved impression surface, a reciprocating form bed, means for feeding a. web between the platen and the form bed, means for moving one member of the couple on and off impression and means for moving surface, a bed adapted to support a fiat form,

means functioning to move the impression surface across the bed and when the said suri face is so-moved to complete the impression-- in less than one half its movement.

' 17. In a web printing machine, a reciproeating bed adapted to support a. flat form,- a platen having a curvedimpression surface coaeting therewith, means operable to feed a web between the bed and impression member during the period of impression in synchronism with the movement of the bed during impression. I

18. In a web printing mechanism, a printlng couple, one member of which is a flat form bed, and the other member having a curved impression surface, meansoperable to move each member of the said couple in the same direction during impression", means operable tofeed aweb between the members of the couple and at a speed-conforming to that of the couple during the period of impression, and means funetionlng to more one member of the couple on and off impression.

19. In a web printing machine, a recipro eating bed, means for reciprocating said'bcd, a reclprocatory platen, having a curved impression surface, cooperating with said bed,

and means for guiding a web between the bed and platen.

20. In a web printing machine, a reciprocating bed, means for reciprocating said bed,- a reeiprocatory platen having a-curved impression surface cooperating with said bed, said platen being pivotally mounted for action with the bed in one half or less of its movement on an axis eccentric to the curvature of its impression surface and means tov guide a web between the bed and platen.

21. In a printing machine, a reclprocating form bed, means for reciprocating said bed, a reciprocatory platen having a curved impression surface cooperating with said form bed, said platen "being pivotally mounted for movement on an axis eccentric to the curvature of its impression surface. 5

22. In a printing machine, a reciprocating bed, means operable to reciprocate'said bed in a straight path, anoscillat-ing platen having a curved im ression surface, the ax 1s of oscillation of said platen being eccentric to the curfittureof its impression surface, and means operable to move the platen on and off impression.

23. In a printing machine, a reciprocatlng form bed, an oscillating platen having a curved impression surface, the axis of oscillation of said platen being between the axis of curvature. of its impression surface thereof' and its impression surface.

24. In a printing machine, a couple embodying a form bed and a platen having a curved impression surface cooperating with said form bed, means for moving the curved surface of said platen, said curved surface when so moved being operable tocomplote cototal movement.

25. In ,a printing machine, a couple embodying a reciprocating for oted platen having a curved 'mpression surface adapted to cooperate with said bed, means'operable to move the platen, and, when so moved, the, curved surface of the same is operable to complete the cooperation with ae cthe form bed in one half or less of the total movement of said platen. 26; In a printlng machine, a couple embodying a reciprocating form bed and a pivoted platenhaving a curved impression surv face adapted for cooperation with said form bed, means operable to move said platen and when the platen is so moved the. curved surface thereof is operable to-complete the cooperation with the form bed in one half or less of the total movement of said platen, and means for feeding a web between the couple.

27. In a printing machine, a printingfcouple including a bed adapted to support a flat bed and a piv eating bed; a reciprocatory platen having a curved impression surface cooperating with said bed, means operable to raise and lower said platen and means for feeding a web between the bed and platen. l

'30. In a printing couple, a reciprocating bed, a movable platen hawing a curved impression surface of comparatively great radius' operable to take the impression 1n one half or less ofsuch movement.

' 31(In a web printing machine embodyingv the platen in a difierent ath, and means for.-

guiding a web between t e bed and platen.

32-. A web printing couple embodying a reciprocating bed adapted to supports, form and a platen having a curved impression surface, said surface being operable for rolling contact with said form, means operable to effect such rolling contact, a continuously driven inking roller, and means operable to separate one member of said couple from the other to allow the passage of the'form inking roller.

33. In a printing machine, a couple including a reciprocative bed adapted to support a flat form and a rocking platen having a curved impression surface, means for reciprocating said bed and means operable for rock ing saidplaten', said platen being operable to complete the impression in onehalf or less of the combined reciprocatin movement and rockinmovement ofsaid I d and platen. 34.

In a printing press, a movable -form bed, animpression member having a. curved working face, said member being pivotally mounted adjacent such face, and means for moving said member on an additional axis eccentric to its curved face.

35. printing machine having a printing couple mcludmg a form support and a platen having a curved impression surface, and 7 means for actuating the platen to cause the same to traverse the form during impression, said means being operable to move the platen bodily, and simultaneously to roll the curved surface of the same upon the form with a velocity greater than that of its bodily movement, the form support being also capable of movement to compensate for the movement of the platen during impression.

36. In a printing press, a movable form bed, an impression member having a curved impression face, said member being pivotally axis eccentric to its curved face.

' 3 7. In a printing press, a movable bed adapted to support a form, a-platen having -a curved face. and mounted to oscillate about an axis eccentric to the axis of curvature of said face and lying within the angle between lating the latencon an axis located between said curv surface and the'axis of curvature thereof, a bed adapted to sup ort a flat form,

. 40. In a. printinefi means for moving the bed bac .and forth tangentially to said curvedsurface, and, when so moved,, operable to complete impression 1n less than one half of one of said tangent movements.

press of the described class, a bed provid with means for holding a flat rinting-form, a plat en havin a curved worklng face and mounted to oscil ate about an axis adjacent to said working face and distant from the axis of curvature -of said face,'means for actuating the bed principall in a direction perpendicular to the ace of the printing form to thereb a preach and recede from the axis of osci at-ion of the platen, means for oscillating the platen about said axis to roll the curved workin face upon the face of the printing-form uring proximity of the latter thereto, and means for maintainmg register of said faces of the platen and printing.

form during contact thereof.

,41. In a printing machine, a movable'bed adapted to support a fiat form, a platen having a. curved impression surface, said platen.

being eccentrically mounted for rocking movement, means for rocking said platen back and forth to roll the impression surface over the form, said impression surface be ng sha ed to effect impression in less than onehalf of one of said rocking movements.

' 42. In a printin press, a platen having a curved impression ace, means for oscillating the platen on an axis located between said curved face and the axis of curvature thereof, a bed adapted to su port a flat ,form, means for moving the be toward and away from the axis of oscillation of the platen, to

' bring the form into and out of contact with said curved surface, and -back and forth tangentially to the curved face of said platen,

said surface being shaped to complete impression in less thanv one-half of one of said tangent movements.

mountedadjacent suchface, and means for I moving the said member on an additional ress, a movable -bedbed adapte 43. a printing press, a-platen having a I curved impressionsurface, means for rocking or oscillating said platen on an axis :lo-

cated between said curved face and the axisof curvature thereof, a bed adapted to support a flat form, means for moving the bed toward and awa from the axis of oscillation of the laten an back and forth tan entially to the ace of said platen, said curve impression surface being shaped to complete impression in less than one-half-of one of said tangent movements, and means for guiding a web between the bed and platen.

44.- In a printing machine, a reciprocating to support a flat form, means to reciprocate said bed, a rockingplaten having a curved impression surface, and means to rocktheplaten to roll the impression surface over the form, said platen rocking means being constructed to operate the platen to complete impression in lessthan one-half of one of the rocking movements of the platen.

45. In a printing machine, a reciprocating bed adapte to support a flat form, means to reclprocate the bed, a rocking platen having a curved impression surface adapted for rollmg engagement with the form, means to rock the platen back and forth to roll the curved impression surface over the form, said platen rocking means being constructed to operate the platen to complete impression in less than one-half of one 0 said rocking movements,

and means for guiding a webbetween the bed and platen. L

46. In a printing machine, a rocking platen having a curved im ressionsurface, and a reciprocating bed a apted to support a fiat form, said platen being mounted for forward and back rocking movement to engage said curved surface with the form, means to rock said platen with its curved surface in rolling engagement with the form, said platen rocking means being'constructed to operate the platen to complete im ress ion within lessv than one-half of one 0 said rocking move-. ments, and means to reciprocatethe bed.

47. In a printing press, a rocking or oscillating platen having a curved impression surface, a movable bed adapted to support a flat form, means for rocki'n orloscillating the platen to roll said impression surface over the form, means for moving said bed toward and from the axis of oscillation ofthe platen,

' and means to move the bed back and forth tangentially to said impresison'surface to engage the form with said curved surface, said platen rocking means being constructed to operate the platen tocomplete impression in less than one-half of one of said tangent movements. Y

48. In a printing press, a rocking or oscillating platen having a curved impression surface, a movable. bed adapted to support a flat form, means operable to rock or oscillate the platen to roll said surface in contact with the.

form, means to 0 rate said bed to move it toward and away in the axis of the laten, means to move the bed back and fort gentially to the impression surface, said platen rocking means being constructed to operate the platen to complete impression in less than one=half of one of said tangent movements, and means for guiding a web between Itllie bed and platen. l

49. a rin rm a rintin coup e, one membel of i l l i ch is a. i'ocl r ing pl ten having. a curved impression surface, and the other member a movable bed adapted to support a flat form, means for moving said bed,

means to move one member of said couple 7 toward and away from the other member to bringsaid members into and out of printing engagement, and means for rocking the tan- 7 laten to roll the curved surface upon the orm, said platen rocking means being constructedto operate the platen to complete impression in less than one-half of one of said rocking movements. Y 7

50. In a printing press, a rocking or oscillating platen having a curved impression surface, a movable bed adapted to sup rt a flat form, means to'rock or oscillate t e platen to roll said surface over. the form, and means. .to move the bedback and -forth tangentially to said impression surface, said platen rocking means bein constructed to operate the platen to comp ete im ression in less than one-half of one of sai rocking movements. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 8th da of February, 1918.

J 0% D. CAPLINGER. 

